USAID SHERA Launch Event

The Sustainable Higher Education Research Alliances (SHERA) program is a five-year higher education partnership supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Institute of International Education (IIE). In close collaboration with Indonesia’s Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Kemristekdikti), and through a transparent and accountable selection process, SHERA selected five top Indonesian universities to host and establish Centers for Collaborative Research (CCR) within focus areas critical to Indonesia’s development: environment and energy, food security, public health, transportation, and urban planning. 

These CCRs will collaborate with 8 U.S. Universities and 23 other local universities to achieve the following program goals:

1. Increase the capacity of Indonesian scholars to conduct world-class research through collaboration with U.S. scholars
2. Create collaboration among Indonesia and U.S. higher education institutions (HEIs) in the fields of science, technology and innovation
3. Improve the enabling environment of quality research and professional development opportunities for women.

IIE organized a high-profile launch event to acknowledge and celebrate the creation of  five CCRs on March 21, 2017 at Kemristekdikti’s event space, which was attended by high-level officials, including the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Brian McFeeters, USAID Mission Director, Erin McKee, and Kemristekdikti Minister, Muhammad Nasir. The Secretary General, Inspector General, rectors and vice rectors from each the CCR lead institutions, and rectors from all Indonesian affiliate partners were also in attendance.  

Both DCM McFeeters and Minister Nasir gave remarks during the ceremony, after which followed a press conference and gallery walk-in.